It’s “Hey Rene J” Today!

We weren’t being photographed and videoed and posted -what a blessing! This made me smile though and brought back a memory.

I did fall off my bike many times, grounding gravel in my knee doing my silly stunts. Years later – in the 80’s, I wondered what the heck was happening to my leg? A large lump appeared on my thigh. Doing a little minor surgery, I cut it open and found – a piece of gravel. Obviously it had migrated a bit, but it found its way back to earth.

Just thought I’d share since I couldn’t back then!

If you have the chance and if you are even remotely bored, listen to the commercial for the drug, Caplyta. The voiceover work is flawed.

First, the woman pronounces the name with four syllables, doing so until the end of the ad. The last two pronunciations contain what sounds like three syllables only. Hm. I could be mis-hearing, but I don’t think so. It has bugged me from the first moment I heard the ad.

Sigh. I need another hobby.

Go to a park on a beautiful day. Every mother there will have ten to twenty snacks at the ready and willing to share. At least that’s what was evidenced today. And as always, the other mom’s snacks are the ones your kid wants. Thus, a large pile of delicious and healthy treats on the picnic table is the pot of gold for wee ones.

Ah, the little things. I’ve also learned that you look for a mom when you need a band-aid. She’s sure to have a supply. Look for more life lessons as we navigate outings with a two-year old and twins in tow.

Chatter about tonight’s upcoming babysitting adventure reminded me of a particularly shambolic event in my career. (The word of the day: chaotic, disorganized or mismanaged.)

I believe I was 13 years of age and in charge of four children, the oldest being 11. Who would leave their four kids with a newly minted teenager? Someone with four kids such as these and who lived two houses away from my parents! The two youngest boys, a year apart, were little terrors. They managed to lock me out of the house, but only after we had been outside playing and after they had turned the garden hose on me. The two older kids were of no help. Well, I had enough of that. I up and walked home.

My mother sent me back in dry clothes. I continued to babysit those children for many late nights, and for $.50 an hour. However, someone got wise enough to suggest I bring my sister, a year younger than I, so at least we were a little more of a challenge for those imps. It’s amazing I even considered having children after those harrowing years of child care.

Tonight’s opportunity will erase all of those years of devilish behavior as I enjoy three little angels. The smiles, giggles and laughter are all the payment I need.

Believe it or not, I am looking forward to the commencement of daylight saving time in March.

Yes, my alarm clock has been one hour ahead of schedule for nearly a year. I never changed it. Perhaps it was a mechanism to keep me on my toes in the wee hours when I awake and wonder what time it actually is? Perhaps it was laziness that kept the clock on permanent DST? No. It was merely the fact that every time I change the time on it, I end up setting one of the two alarm features and creating a new problem. I just gave up on it.

Oh, I could get a new clock, however, I now use the alarm on my phone in the rare instance I need one. The little mental math I enjoy every morning keeps me alert pre-coffee. It’s just one of my little tests to keep my mind functioning at peak performance!

Now we head on to the NYT puzzle! Much more enjoyable and less a reminder of my idiocy.

Watching a horrible film starring Tom Hanks, “Inferno,” I was privy to a most wonderful display of visual history.

The first time I went to Istanbul was with my sister. We stumbled our way through the sites, duly impressed with everything, especially the gorgeous Hagia Sophia World Heritage Site. If you want to see The Hagia Sophia in its beauty, watch the film. If you go and see it today you may be disappointed. It has been returned to “mosque” status under Erdogan. Thus, the once impressive marble floor is carpeted in grass green unfortunateness, you are required to remove your shoes and walk on this cheap covering, and you are prevented from viewing the history of this phenomenal construction which was a Christian church, mosque, museum, and once again, a mosque. Anything of Christian note has been covered in black or prevented from viewing by the public. (At least they haven’t painted over it. Or have they?) You can still be impressed with the size of the structure. That’s something.

So, really awful movie. Great location scenes! Thus, we can glean some amazing visual history from these dated films, and for some of us oldies, a bit of nostalgia.

Today, February 12, I received two letters from my former insurance company. The first one stated they received my request to cancel a policy and that would be effective December 31, 2023. Really? The second letter welcomed me to my new policy beginning January 1. That policy is no longer in effect due to my the recent introduction to Medicare. I’d say they are tad bit behind in their communication.

Of course, I’m a tad behind in a lot of things, too. I’m just waiting now for a bill because they haven’t figured out I canceled the second policy!

Sigh. A Monday moment.

Thank goodness it’s cold! There is the distinct odor of a dead mouse in the garage and I cannot locate the source. We may have to wait this one out.

Years ago another mystery – how were mice getting into my car? That was a deplorable situation as we were on vacation and the dead mouse greeted me upon return, guts and all. I have since become adept at rodent detection and destruction, but this one evades me. I think I forgot to pick up an old trap and that’s what lured the guy in. The trap is missing.

Sherlock would be proud.

Recent “decoy” acquisitions have me shuffling my purses around again. It’s rather therapeutic to clean out one bag and transfer to another, wondering why in the world you still have old ticket stubs and fig bar wrappers in there. And toothpicks. And old grocery lists.

Maybe one day I’ll open my pocketbook and be surprised?

Ahem. Perhaps this is why I adore pointy-toed shoes?

Shout out to the blog contributors and muses who managed to pull the wool over my eyes with a birthday celebration disguised as an open house. I applaud your deceptive measures and am awed with your “bait and switch” maneuver. You set the bar high!

Gobs of gratitude for your love and friendship.